Bird flu found in ducks in Central Texas

AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has confirmed multiple cases of bird flu in domestic ducks from Austin.

At the end of last year, bird flu cases started spreading across parts of the country. The virus is highly contagious and spreads through animals and humans through environmental contamination.

Widespread detections have occurred across Texas in Wharton, Galveston, El Paso, Potter, Harris and now Travis County, according to a TPWD press release.

TPWD recommends Texans do the following things to help prevent the spread of the disease:

• Limit all unnecessary contact with wild birds
• Take down all bird feeders and bird baths
  • These allow birds to congregate and spread the disease easily
• Don’t handle any sick or dead wildlife
  • Don’t let your pets eat any wild carcasses

If you are a bird game hunter, TPWD recommends following these precautions:

• Disposing carcasses properly
• Wearing gloves when processing
• Avoiding consumption or processing of any sick bird
• Cleaning and disinfecting tools between carcasses
• Cooking meat to proper temperatures

One person in the U.S. has died from bird flu.